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Mother Son Points Five Shu Points
Mother Son Points Five Shu Points
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SHU means transporting. We can treat the entire body just with
the five transporting points. There is a connection between the
five transporting points, the body and the environment. The
sections of the channel between fingers/toes and elbows/knees is
superficial and is most directly influenced by climate and
external pathogenic factors. These points are related to the five
elements as well.
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In order to illustrate the nature of the Five Transporting Points,
the Chinese compared the section of a channel between the
fingers/toes and elbows/knees to a river, starting from a Well
point at the tips of the fingers or toes, getting gradually larger
and deeper and ending in a Sea point at the elbows or knees.
Thus from fingers/toes to elbows/knees there is a progression in
the size and depth of the channel: it is narrowest and most
superficial at the finger tips and tips of the toes.
These sections of the channels are more superficial than the rest
and this is one of the reasons for the importance of the points
lying along its path. The energetic action of the points situated
along this section of a channel is much more dynamic than other
points and this explains their frequent use in clinical practice.
One could conceivably practice acupuncture using only these
points.
The other implication of the fact that the section of the channel
between fingers/toes and elbows/knees is more superficial is that
this section represents the connection between the body and the
environment. It is the section of the channel that is influenced
most promptly and directly by climate and exterior pathogenic
factors. For this reason the points along this section of channel
are more directly related to the seasons and can be used
according to their cycle. For the same reason the points along
this section of channel are the points of entry of exterior
pathogenic factors such as Cold, Dampness and Wind.
At the fingertips and toes the energy changes polarity from Yin
to Yang or vice versa. Due to this change in polarity, the Qi of
the channel is more unstable and therefore more easily
influenced.
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The first point (Well Point) belongs to Wood in the Yin channels
and Metal in the Yang channels. This is important to remember
when treating from a five element stand point or when taking
any test on the categories of points. If you remember how many
points are on each meridian, remember the number of meridians
that start and end on the hand are 6, remember that the 3 yang
meridians of the hand start at the finger tips, remember that the
three yang meridians of the hand correspond to the hollow
organs (Small Intestine, Triple Warmer and Large Intestine),
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remember that the starting points then are numbered (SI-1,
TW-1 and LI-1), remember that the first point of the yang
meridians of the hands are related to the Metal element and the
last point of the yang meridians of the feet are related to the
Metal element, remember that the long Yang meridians start at
the head and end at the feet, remember that the long Yang
meridians are (Urinary Bladder, Gall Bladder and Stomach,
remember that the Urinary Bladder has 67 points, the Stomach
has 45 points and the Gall Bladder has 44 points. So UB67 is a
Metal point, St-45 is a Metal point and GB-44 is a Metal point.
We then just need to remember that Metal creates Water, Water
creates Wood, Wood creates Fire and Fire creates Earth. The
Earth point on the Yang meridians are always going to be at the
elbow or at the knees. So following in the order listed below we
would know that the Well points of the Yang meridians are
Metal so the next point from the finger tips to the elbow or knee
would be the Spring point which would belong to the Water
element. The Stream point will belong to the Wood element. The
River point will belong to the Fire element and the Sea point
will belong to the Earth element.
See if you can figure out this scheme on the Yin Shu Points.
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4. River point is the fourth point of the five, not always the
fourth point along the channel.
5. Sea point is the fifth point of the five and in all cases it is the
point at the elbows and knees.
Each of the Five Transporting points has a specific energetic
action within the channel dynamics, which explains the meaning
of these points names.
The Well is the point of departure of Qi. At this point the
channel is the most superficial and thinnest and the energy
changes polarity from Yin to Yang or vice versa. The energy is at
its most unstable state here, so that it can be easily and readily
influenced and changed. The energy at these points has an
outward movement, the energy of the channel tends to go
outwards in a centrifugal movement at these points.
Centrifugal= Moving away from the center
Centripetal= Moving toward a center
The Well points are used in acute conditions as the Well points
tend to be used to eliminate pathogenic factors quickly in acute
conditions.
Examples of use are:
LU-11 for fainting
P-9 for fainting and heat-stroke
SI-1 for loss of consciousness.
Sp-1 for convulsions
K-1 for loss of consciousness and infantile convulsions
LI-1 for loss of consciousness
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The Spring points have a particularly strong action and are
generally used to eliminate pathogenic factor whether they are
interior or exterior and in particular to clear Heat.
The Spring points are used sparingly. The Spring points of the
feet are more powerful then the Spring points of the hands.
Those of the hands are chosen first to treat generally. If we want
a particularly strong effect we would choose the foot points.
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The Well points are used for irritability, mental restlessness and
anxiety. This applies to both Yin and Yang channels. Well points,
have a particularly strong effect on the mental state and quickly
change the mood. Examples of Well points used in this way are:
Examples are:
H-8 and P-8 to clear Heart-Fire
Liv-2 to drain Liver-Fire
St-44 to clear Stomach-Heat
K-2 to clear Kidney Empty-Heat
Lu-10 to clear Lung-Heat or to dispel Wind-Heat
River points are used for cough, asthma and upper respiratory
diseases. This applies more to Yin than Yang channels.
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Sea point are used for all stomach and intestinal diseases. This
applies mostly to Yang channels but also to Yin ones. Examples
are St-36 and GB 34 for intestinal problems.
The Yang channels of the arm are where the Upper Sea Points
are located and the Yang channels of the leg are where the
Lower Sea Points are located.
The Upper Sea Points (SI-8, LI-11, TB-10) are used mostly for
problems of the neck, shoulders and head.
The Lower Sea Points (St-39, ST-37 and Bl-39) are used mostly
for problems of the relevant organs (Small Intestine, Large
Intestine and Triple Burner.
The Five Transporting points are also used for preventive
seasonal treatments:
Well points in winter
Spring points in spring
Stream points in summer
River points in late summer
Sea points in autumn
The Five Transporting Points are also used according to their
Five Element character.
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These are the Well and Sea Points of the Cranial Limb
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Well Points of the Caudal Limb
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element we tonify the Mother point on that meridian. It is
important to remember that we do not treat the Mother/Child
point on some other meridian. We treat the Mother/Child point
on the meridian where the imbalance exists. In case of
Deficiency tonify the Mother, in case of Excess Drain the Child.
Click here for interactive point locations.
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When we chart the various imbalances in the body we should
use a shorthand charting technique. Examples are:
• Liv-
• Liv+
• GB-
• GB+
• UB-
• UB+
• Blood-
• Heat+
Using the two examples above for treatment of a Liver
Deficiency and a Liver Excess we would chart the treatment as
follows:
• +Liv8
• -Liv2
We put the treatment prescription + or - in front of the organ
abbreviation in our treatment plan. In the diagnosis we put the +
or - at the end of the abbreviation on our diagnosis chart.
Let’s look at the process of finding out which Mother/Child
points to use by the long method. Using the long method we
would not use the Mother/Child chart but will use the long form
rational to understand the Mother/Child points.
UB+ is the diagnosis. The Urinary Bladder being over active.
The UB belongs to the Water element. In cases of excess we
sedate the Child. The Child of Water is Wood because Water
creates Wood. So Water is the Mother of Wood. The Water point
on the UB meridian is UB-65. How do we know this. If we have
memorized the amount of points on the twelve meridians and we
know that the UB is Yang because it is hollow. We know that it
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starts on the head and ends on the lateral bed of the fifth
phalanges. We know that the UB has 67 points. We also know
that all Yang meridians of the leg have a starting point on the
head and an ending point on the nail beds of one of the
phalanges of the foot. We know that all Yang meridians start
with a Metal element point. Metal is the Mother of Water and
Water creates Wood. Wood is the Child of Water. So the third
point on the UB meridian counting backwards, 67 Metal, 66
Water, 65 Wood. UB-65 is the Child/Sedation point on the UB
meridian. How would we sedate this point? We would press into
the point deeply, move slowly, in a counter clockwise circle for
a short amount of time. See if you can figure out the Mother/
Tonification point on the UB using the same rational. We would
treat the tonification point by pressing on the surface, moving
rapidly in a clock wise circle for a long duration of time.
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The Yuan Source Points
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Connecting (Luo) Points
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When a Source point is used to tonify a given channel or organ,
the Connecting point of its interiorly-exteriorly-related channel
can be used to strengthen the treatment. The Connecting point is
chosen as a secondary point to reinforce the action of the Source
point, chosen as the main point to treat the primarily affected
channel.
For example, in case of Lung-Qi deficiency we may choose to
use the Lung channel Source point LU-9 and reinforce its action
by using the Connecting point of its interiorly-exteriorly-related
channel LI-6. This is called the Guest-Host method, the Source
point being the Host and the Connecting point being the Guest.
The choice of points is chosen by the pathology of the Host
point of the diseased channel. The symptoms are as follows:
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SI-4 and H-5: for stiff neck, swelling and pain of the throat,
shoulder pain, deafness, yellow eyes, pain of the lateral side of
the upper arms.
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of small channels in the superficial part of the body between the
main channels and the skin. The pathology of this area, and
therefore of the Connecting channels, consists primarily in
invasions of external pathogenic factors causing
tendinomuscular problems. Therefore the Connecting points are
extremely important points to affect the superficial areas of the
channels and particularly the joint, sinews, muscles and skin in
tendinomuscular problems.
For example, in case of tendinitis of the elbow along the Large
Intestine channel. the Connecting point LI-6 will affect the
Connecting channel area, that is, the sinews and muscles
situated between the main channels and the skin, which is
where the pathology of tendinitis is situated.
When they are used for channel problems, the Connecting points
are sometimes chosen on the opposite side to where the problem
is, on the same channel in acute cases and on the interiorly-
exteriorly related channel. For example, if there is an acute pain
in the right shoulder along the Large Intestine channel and some
local points on the Large Intestine channel on the right side,
LI-6 can be added on the left side to reinforce the treatment. In a
chronic case, LU-7 would be used on the left side.
The Connecting channels (and therefore points) are not used
only for superficial tendinomuscular problems. The Connecting
channels occupy the area between the main channels and the
skin, they are horizontal forming like a network of small
channels, and they cannot penetrate through the large joints as
do the main channels. This means that the Connecting channels
in this area are very prone to stagnation of Qi and stasis of
Blood. Indeed, it could be said that most symptoms of stagnation
in the body occur in the Connecting-channels area.
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For example, breast distention from Qi stagnation in women
occurs in the Connecting channels area of the breast, a myoma
(fibroid) in the Uterus is due to Blood stasis in the Blood
Connecting channels of the Uterus, a feeling of a lump in the
throat is due to Qi stagnation in the Connecting channels of the
throat and so on.
Therefore the Connecting points have a very important use in
moving Qi and Blood in the channels when they are affected by
Qi stagnation or Blood stasis.
When the Connecting channels are Full they can be seen and
when they are Empty they cannot be seen. This is due to the fact
that the Connecting channels are more superficial than the main
channels and branch out into the smaller branches of the
Superficial and Minute channels.
In Full patterns, the Connecting channels and their smaller
branches are congested and can therefore be see. A greenish
coloration suggests stagnation in these channels, a bluish color
indicates Cold, a reddish coloration suggests Heat, and a purple
color indicates Blood stasis.
The channel pathway ares should also be palpated and they can
feel cold or hot to the touch. This, together with the coloration,
indicates retention of Cold or Heat in the Connecting channels
and their branches, that is an Excess condition.
In Deficiency patterns, the Connecting channels and their
branches are void of Qi, so nothing can be observed outwardly
in terms of color, but in chronic severe cases a flaccidity of
muscles can be observed.
In Excess conditions of the Connecting channels the Connecting
point must be reduced, and in Deficiency conditions it must be
reinforced. In case of venous and capillary congestion
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manifesting with macules on a Connecting channel, these blood
vessels can be pricked and bled.
23
The Back Transporting points can also be used for diagnostic
purposes as they become tender on pressure or even
spontaneously tender when the corresponding organ is diseased.
In addition to the Back Transporting points along the Bladder
channel, there are also six other points on the outer line of the
Bladder channel on the back that are particularly important.
With the exception of Bl-43, the other five points exert a special;
effect on the corresponding mental aspect of each of the five Yin
organs, that is, the Corporeal Soul (Po) of the Lungs, Mind
(Shen) of the Heart, Ethereal Soul (Hun) of the Liver, Intellect
(Yi) of the Spleen and Will Power (Zhi) of the Kidneys. These
points can therefore be used in emotional and psychological
problems of the relevant Yin organs. The actions of these points
is stronger if they are combined with the relevant Back
Transporting point of the corresponding Yin organ.
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Front Collecting (Mu) Points
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It should be noted that only three Front Collecting points are
located on the channel relevant to the corresponding organ:
LIV-14 for the Liver, GB-24 for the Gall Bladder, and LU-1 for
the Lungs. All the others are located on channels not
corresponding to their organs. It follows then that with the
exception of these three Mu points, the Front Collecting points
treat disorders of the Internal Organs but not those of their
respective channels. For example, Ren-4 will treat disorders of
the Small Intestine but not problems of the Small Intestine
channel.
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They are points where the Qi of the channel gathers and are used
mostly in acute patterns, especially when there is pain. They are
therefore primarily indicated for channel problems and are
usually reduced, as they are mostly used for Excess patterns.
Another characteristic of these points is that they can be used to
stop bleeding, especially in acute cases and especially for the
Yin channels.
These four Accumulation points are for four of the extraordinary
vessels, that is, the Yang and Yin Stepping Vessels and the Yang
and Yin Linking Vessels. The Qi of the extraordinary vessels
accumulates at these points, which makes them particularly
powerful points to activate the Qi of these vessels. They can be
used in combination with the opening points of the extraordinary
vessels. For example, the point BL-59 is used for sciatica on the
lateral side of the leg in combination with BL-62. when there is
pronounced stiffness and inability to walk properly.
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Gathering/Meeting (Hui) Points
The Gathering (Hui) points are points that have special influence
on certain tissues, organs, energy or Blood. Various types of
energies or tissues gather or concentrate at these points.
The body has Four Seas and 12 water channels. The water
channels pour into the Seas of which there is one in the East, one
in the West, one in the North, and one in the South.
The symptoms and points of the Four Seas are as follows:
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Command Points
The Five Command points are those points that have the
strongest and most general influence on a specific area.
Four Seas
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